ISO-New England: Near-record power demands expected this week

New England's power grid operator says demand for electricity could close in on a seven-year record as businesses and individuals crank up their air conditioners to cope with the weeklong heat wave.

ISO-New England says the record for power use was 28,130 megawatts on Aug. 2, 2006. ISO said Monday that demand for 27,900 megawatts is possible on Thursday.

Spokeswoman Marcia Blomberg says ISO expects to have enough power to meet demand, but there's a potential that a surplus of more than 2,000 megawatts could run thin. The Holyoke-based grid operator says it may seek emergency electricity from other regions or ask businesses to reduce power use.

The National Weather Service says temperatures in much of New England are expected to be in the mid- to high-90s through Saturday.